JOSEPH "JOSKA" SZIGETI - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 05/05/1946 - HFSID 49506

JOSEPH SZIGETI
Signed autograph letter (1946), arranging to meet a friend during a brief visit to New York.
Autograph Letter signed: "Joska", 1 page, 7¼x10½. Palos Verdes Estates, California, 1946 May 5. On personal letterhead to "Dear Frances" [Winwar]. In full: "I am very contrite about our not having met in March but it was a terrible month. Wanda & I will be at the New Weston on Wednesday the 15th and we do want to see you! We're flying on the 22nd to London. I suggested Monday eve the 20th to Eric & hope we'll all get together then and perhaps improvise to have lunch together before then? It's to difficult to plan for such a short stay in NY! Just tell us whether you're in town at that time, will you? You can imagine the excitement and activity here, before such a trip. Wanda send you her love. Affectionately". Hungarian virtuoso violinist Joseph Szigeti (1892-1973) debuted as a child prodigy, touring and recording until his retirement in 1960. Known as "the scholarly violinist," he championed works by contemporary composers, including his lifelong friend Bela Bartok. Szigeti and his wife Wanda (Ostrowska) Szigeti lived mostly in the US from 1939 to 1960, returning thereafter to Switzerland. Szigeti's memoirs, With Strings Attached, obviously a work in progress when he wrote this letter, were published in 1947. Szigeti on the Violin appeared in 1969. The addressee was Frances Winwar (1900-1985), author of many literary biographies. Normal mailing folds. Lightly soiled and creased. Otherwise, fine condition.